Ingredients
Manicotti and Sauce
- 5-6 oz manicotti pasta (about 10 pieces)
- 16 oz (2 cups) marinara sauce, spaghetti sauce, or homemade sauce (divided)
- Cooking spray
Cheese Filling
- 15 oz ricotta cheese (1 pint – whole milk recommended)
- 2 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- ¾ cup grated parmesan cheese (divided)
- ½ cup spinach (finely chopped)
- ¼ cup fresh basil (finely chopped)
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried onion
- ½ to 1 teaspoon garlic salt (depending on taste preference)
- 1 large egg
Garnish
- Parsley (chopped, for garnish)
- Basil leaves (for serving on the side)
Instructions
- Prep Pasta: Cook the manicotti pasta according to the package instructions, but undercook slightly by boiling uncovered for about 7 minutes. This ensures the pasta is tender but firm enough to hold the filling. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking.
- Arrange Pasta: Lightly coat a medium baking sheet with cooking spray. Lay the cooked manicotti in a single layer so the pieces do not touch, preventing them from sticking together while you prepare the filling.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get ready for baking the assembled dish.
- Make Cheese Filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta, 1 ½ cups of shredded mozzarella, ¼ cup grated parmesan, finely chopped spinach and basil, Italian seasoning, dried onion, garlic salt (adjust to taste), and one large egg. Mix thoroughly until evenly combined.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Pour 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking pan. This creates a flavorful base that prevents sticking and adds moisture.
- Stuff Manicotti: Using a piping bag fitted with a tip, fill each manicotti tube completely with the cheese mixture. Carefully place each stuffed manicotti in a single layer on top of the sauce in the baking dish.
- Add Toppings: Pour the remaining 1 cup of marinara sauce over the stuffed pasta. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella and ½ cup of parmesan cheese to create a golden, bubbly topping when baked.
- Bake: Bake the manicotti in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese topping is melted and golden. The recipe’s recommended time is about 30 minutes.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, garnish with chopped parsley and serve with fresh basil on the side for an extra touch of freshness and aroma.
- Feedback: If you enjoyed the recipe, rate and review it to support the creator and help others decide to try this delicious meal.
Notes
- Undercooking the manicotti slightly before stuffing helps prevent it from becoming mushy after baking.
- Using whole milk ricotta gives a creamier texture to the filling, but part-skim can be used for a lighter option.
- You can add cooked ground beef or Italian sausage to the filling for a meatier version.
- Fresh herbs like basil and parsley enhance the flavor but can be substituted with dried herbs if fresh are unavailable.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven until warmed through.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
